Page 53 of Embers in the Outfield

The moment I get to the office, I’m pulled in multiple directions. The issues with Brett Henry haven’t gotten better. They were quiet initially after I spoke to the general manager, but then he was back to his usual antics, and now I have to tackle this head-on. He’s on my calendar for a lunch meeting; therefore, my meal will be ruined by his presence and most likely his excuses that he will be throwing my way for his behavior. This man is not that much younger than me, yet I have to scold a professional baseball player like he’s a horny teen. Why can’t he keep it in his pants when he’s out in public? Fucking athletes!

The moment Brett walks into the office, I notice all the women and some men looking his way, drool visible even from this distance. I can’t help the eye roll I let take over my face before he enters the conference room.

“Hey, boss. You know, we could have done this at a nice restaurant downtown.” He throws his perfect smile my way, and I feel absolutely nothing toward the gesture. I guess he’s appealing to some, but for me, he’s my employee, and I hired him to do a job. He might be good at the sport, but everything outside of this stadium is fucked due to his behavior.

“Hi, Brett. Good to see you. Please sit down.” I motion to the chair across from me and keep the small talk to a minimum.

Lunch was already delivered, and the buffet has been set up. His agent follows behind him, and luckily, he’s one I have not had a bad experience with. From the bags under his eyes, hisclient might be causing more sleepless nights than he’d rather deal with as well.

“Grab a plate before we chat.” I don’t give much room to argue and stand up, walking toward the table set up in the back of the conference room. The way my morning has gone so far, none of this food looks appealing, but for show, I spoon a few items onto my plate.

“So, how you liking your new gig?” Brett is all calm and ease. I can tell he’s used to getting his way, and that’s about to end right now.

“Funny you should ask, Brett. You see, I’d like my ‘gig’ a lot more if I didn’t have your face in headlines on my desk every morning.” My features are stone as I look at him, taking in his reaction.

Of course, his laid-back smile takes over his features, and I have to control the urge to scream at the top of my lungs. Today is not the day to mess with me.

“Come on, not you too!” he says, then swings his gaze to his agent. Much like me, his agent looks like he’s about to slap his own client across the face.

“Let’s stop with the show, Brett. I get it. You’re good at your job. But guess what, Brett? I’m good at mine too. I’m the one who signs that paycheck. I’m the one who ensures my organization is being represented appropriately. I’m the one who sees that the Gaels have a future in five, ten, fifteen years. I don’t need some arrogant athlete to come in here and act like he owns the place. Because that job is already taken. By me.” I make sure to smile at the end, something my uncle always said makes people uncomfortable.

Brett sits there, not sure if he’s more stunned at my bluntness or by the fact a woman just put him in his place, but I’m ready for whatever fight he wants to throw my way.

“Last time I checked, the one who owns this joint is uncle dearest, not you,” he says. The fucker has the nerve to act like he’s the big guy on campus.

This is exactly why when my uncle offered to sit in on this meeting, I asked that he stay far from the office. I can handle my shit, which is precisely why I got his job. He had other candidates putting in their resumes, trying to convince him I was the weaker choice. But when it comes to me and the things I love, like this team, I won’t fight harder for anything to succeed more.

“Let me make it real easy for you, Brett. You don’t intimidate me. Your abilities as an athlete don’t intimidate me. You think you’re irreplaceable? Think again. I promise, even if you’re the one to have on a team right now, next year, there will be someone better. You want to be someone else’s headache? Go right ahead. I have enough on my plate, with or without you. What is it going to be?” I stand up and lean over my plate. “Oh, and just a little tip for you. When addressing the president of this organization, Ms. Sparen or President Sparen will suffice. My uncle might own this team but don’t forget who steers this ship. It’s me and no one else.”

I throw my napkin on the table. “I’ll let you chat with your agent, and you can call me when you’re ready to listen. It seems your ears are a little plugged.” I move around the table and out the door without even glancing back.

Pretentious men have been in my orbit my entire life. Going to private school and schmoozing with my uncle’s “friends” has given me the best lesson on how to handle a man who thinks he walks on water.

My walk is quickly interrupted when Luke, Brett’s agent, comes running toward me.

“Ken—I mean Ms. Sparen, please come back to the conference room. Brett would like to have a word with you.” Helooks absolutely wrecked. That didn’t take long. I thought I’d at least make it back to my office before Brett called me with his tail between his legs.

I make it back, ready to hear something along the lines of how he’s still the big guy on campus and that he’ll only comply with my request until his contract is up.

Instead, something is finally going a little easier this morning when Brett opens his mouth. “I apologize for my arrogance earlier, Ms. Sparen. I feel lucky to be here, pitching for the Gaels. This is the team I’ve always wanted to be on, wearing the green and white colors holds a lot of meaning for me. I would love to continue wearing them, ma’am.”

I look up at him and then move my gaze over to Luke. I can see him pleading with his stare, and I finally relent.

“Great to hear, Brett. I’ll see you on the field, and I hope I see less of your antics off of it. Is that understood?” He nods, and I continue, “And when that itch comes where you think I’m not really watching anymore, just remember, I’ve got my ear to the ground at all times. Represent those green and white colors with pride on and off the field. Got it?”

He nods again, and I feel like my job here is done. For now.

“Listen, I want you to stay and enjoy the food.” I look down at my watch. “I’m going to head out and take my next meeting, maybe a little earlier than expected.” Meaning on time. I shake both their hands and make my way to my office.

In there, I close the blinds and take a moment to rest my eyes as I sit in my large chair behind my desk.

I hear some commotion outside my door, and the moment I open my eyes and stand to see what it’s all about, my door opens.

“Don’t worry, she won’t mind I showed up,” River says, without even looking over at her. He keeps his gaze on me, and I give Daphne a small nod.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Sparen. He just barged right in here.” Daphne, my assistant, looks at me, probably concerned her job is at stake. Then she cuts her glare over to the man in question, who’s paying no attention to her.

Before she closes the door, I let her know, “Daphne, please grab me when it’s time to head to the next meeting.” She acknowledges my request and closes the door.

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